Dundee United claimed their first league win of the season after second-half goals from Luca Stephenson and a Jack Sanders own-goal.
To add to St Johnstone’s frustrations, they played the latter stages of the game with a numerical disadvantage after Adama Sidibeh was sent off for catching Will Ferry with an arm in an aerial challenge. Booked for a petulant first-half infringement when he punched the ball away from United keeper Jack Walton, he was sent off with a second yellow. After a coming together in the melee that followed he was then shown a straight red card.
The entertainment of the second period was in sharp contrast to the first.
There was little to write home about across a fairly lifeless opening period although St Johnstone ought to have gone into the interval with their noses in front.
Early days, of course, but Andre Raymond may well go on to collect the ignominious miss of the season award after he slashed wildly at an effort he ought to have buried just before the break, lifting his effort well over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
It came after Luca Stephenson has been slack with a backpass to allow Benjamin Kimpioka to nick in. His effort clipped the base of the post with the ball falling straight to the feet of Raymond who blasted over. Little wonder that he could only lament the effort as he bend over, head in hands.
Other than Matt Smith being nudged by Kristin Trapanovski as he slalomed into the box there was previous little in the way of goalmouth entertainment.
St Johnstone looked to continue the pressure they had exerted towards the end of the opening period as they emerged from the interval with the bit between their teeth.
Graham Carey forced United goalkeeper Jack Walton into a fine save as he tipped a ferocious drive over the bar. Carey’s resultant corner to the back post was turned away by the head of Jort van der Sande.
It was United, though, who claimed first blood.
Trapanovski’s delivery picked out David Babunski with his effort parried by by Josh Rae. It fell kindly for Stephenson who turned his shot into the back of the net.
Adama Sidibeh thought he had drawn Saints level as the game ebbed towards its conclusion as he rippled the side netting with a volley.
The Saints striker was dismissed six minutes from time after an elbow on Will Ferry with a second yellow giving him his marching order.
Within a minute United had doubled their lead.
Rae tries to punch away a long throw from Ross Graham, missed it entirely with the ball coming off of the head of Jack Sanders and ending up in the back of the net.
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